The Open Call for the Social Art Award 2019 under the topic “We are the People – Peaceful Revolutions” was closed on December 15, 2019. We are very impressed by 558 submissions that were contributed by artists coming from 65 countries across all continents.
The winners of The Social Art Award 2019 are Narcissa Gold (USA), Melinda Mouzannar (Lebanon) and Bogna Grazyna Jaroslawski (Poland/Germany). The Honorary Mention goes to Kingson Kin Sing Chan (Hong Kong/UK).
Below you find the artworks, that passed the initial jury round. The public voting took place till 30 December and is a tool to give more public visibility to the topic and the artworks. It does not replace the final jury judgment. There were two wildcards for the most voted artworks that entered the final shortlist.
The focus diversity of applications shows that artists are active in the multi-faceted fields of socially engaged art reflecting on wars, genocides, femicides, traumata, violence against refugees, children, women, men, disabled people, LGBTIQs, animals. They share feelings for the planet and its living species, but also showing hopelessness due to complex crises be it climate change (e.g. in regard to water pollution), capitalism, corruption, a violation against human rights, nature, protected national parks. Many of the artists are constantly trying to give a voice to the poorest or empower unheard social groups.
It’s not only about peaceful revolutions, but it’s also about feeling a deep connection and showing love and respect for each other.
Thank you all for sharing your great and inspirational work and look at all the great contributions!
Breaking Boundaries 2
Nour Ali
open category
Barbed wires are very familiar images in Lebanon, that we see everywhere, on the streets, around building, blocking roads, keeping people out. To me they represent fear and control, they are barriers, both physically and mentally. This piece represents mental barriers to thoughts and ideas, they look aggressive but in reality are very fragile, just like these ceramic barbed wires. How can art catalyze change?: art is a platform which gives artist the opportunity to voice their opinions and views. Making "the other" point of more familiar, and maybe even relatable to the public, which then catalyzes change.
Barbed wires are very familiar images in Lebanon, that we see everywhere, on the streets, around building, blocking roads, keeping people out. To me they represent fear and control, they are barriers, both physically and mentally. This piece represents mental barriers to thoughts and ideas, they look aggressive but in reality are very fragile, just like these ceramic barbed wires. How can art catalyze change?: art is a platform which gives artist the opportunity to voice their opinions and views. Making "the other" point of more familiar, and maybe even relatable to the public, which then catalyzes change.